Narragansett, R.I. -- April 26, 2001 -- The URI Narragansett Bay Classroom is offering teachers an innovative way to teach math and science to their K-12 students. Aquaculture Techniques for Teachers utilizes the hands-on raising of fish and shellfish to help teachers convey scientific principles and offer students a practical means to apply math and writing skills.

The eight-session course will be held Monday through Thursday, July 9-12 and July 16-19, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at URIs East Farm on Route 108 in Kingston. The course will be taught by Dr. Michael Rice, chair of the URI Department of Fish, Animal, and Veterinary Sciences and noted aquaculture expert.

Designed especially for K-12 teachers, "Aquaculture Techniques for Teachers" covers principles of developing a practical finfish and shellfish aquaculture program for the classroom. The course includes lessons in aquaculture species and methods, curricula and Internet resources, culturing microalgae/brine shrimp, rearing shellfish seed, setting up tank systems for finfish, microbiological analysis, monitoring water quality, and feeding rates and food utilization. Teachers will also take field trips to commercial aquaculture facilities and educational and government labs with aquaculture operations.

The fee for the course is $495 per person, plus class materials. A for-credit option to earn graduate credits to satisfy Rhode Island teacher certification requirements is also available. For further information about the for-credit option, course content, or registration procedures, call URI's Office of Marine Programs at 401-874-6211 or visit the website at http://omp.gso.uri.edu/.

Visit the URI Graduate School of Oceanography website:
www.gso.uri.edu